12-year-old hero pulls classmate to safety

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher A. Marasky
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Recently at the Overton Pool here, one young girl was called upon to be heroic when a classmate began to drown.

A 12 year old girl attempted to swim in the deep end of the pool, and when she was unable to remain above water, her classmate had to jump in to rescue her.

"We were at the end of the pool, on the deck area, and she went into the water," said Elizabeth Dobronski, 12-year-old daughter of Lt. Col. Stephen Dobronski, 18th Wing Chief of Safety. "She just kinda panicked then and went under. We thought she was playing at first, but then we realized that she was serious."

According to the safety report, the young girl was unable to swim back to the edge of the pool. Despite repeated attempts to contact the lifeguard, the girls were unable to get assistance quickly, so Elizabeth jumped in to help the drowning girl.

"I don't really remember jumping in," said Elizabeth a 6th grader at Kadena Middle School, "I just remember going and getting her, and helping her up and out of the water."
By the time Elizabeth and a friend helped the young girl to the edge of the pool the lifeguards had been alerted and quickly responded to assist the girl.

Despite the safe outcome, the close call has taught Elizabeth important lessons about school safety.

"Now that this happened, I think it's important to say that you shouldn't play like you're drowning," said Elizabeth. "Because it really is a big deal."

Elizabeth's own training and natural abilities played a large part in her being able to help her classmate said her mother.

"She's a very good swimmer," said Cecelia Dobronski. "She was on the swim team for two years, has been to the swimming classes and had CPR training."

Elizabeth was given a letter of appreciation by 18th Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Brett T. Williams for her actions in saving her classmate.

"I'm very proud of her," said Mrs. Dobronski. "Elizabeth always seems to be there when you need her."